Easel



April` 24, 1951 c. B. GooDsrElN 2,550,550

EAsEL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 17, 1946 4 4 lV' o f 5 lll l l. il

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70 72 @a o 73 j v L 75 y l 75 75 n A l fzg.5

v A INVENTR fig' 3 C/zar/es goodszei/Z' ATTORNEY j April 24, 1951 c. B.GooDsTElN 2,550,550

EASEL 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed oct. 17, .1946

fly/3 INVENTOR BCYv/mr/es Goodsem WA'TTORNEY April. 24, 1951 c. B.GooDsTlN EASEL 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 17, 1946 l falli/ll frBunentor (Ittorneg Patented Apr. 24, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l,2,550,550 1 EASEL Y Charles B. Goodstein, New Rochelle, N. Y.Application October 17, 1946, Serial No. 703,848 s anims. (01248-195)This invention relates to easels. 1t is particularly directed to acollapsible artists easel for supporting a framed canvas and paint box,in position for use.

An object of this invention is to provide an easel' of the characterdescribed having means for sup# i porting a framed canvas in variouspdsitions adjustable as to height above the ground and angle, 'and whichwill accommodate frames of various heights and widths. l

Another object of this invention is to provide a tripod type easelhaving extensible legs, and irnproved means to fix the legs at variousadjusted lengths.

Another object of this invention is to provide an easel of the characterdescribed comprising a plurality of extensible legs pivoted to an endmember at the apex of the tripod, and a rod slidable on 1 said apexmember, and adapted to be fixed in vertically adjusted position,rneansronV said rod to engage the upper edge of a frame canvas, and

- means adjustable on a pair of said legs adapted to engage the loweredge ci said frame.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a tripod type easelcomprising a plurality of legs hinged to an apex member, and apluralityof links hinged at their outer ends to said legs, and at their innerends to a central member, said central member and apex member.beingformed with aligned openings toreceive an axial rod adjustable inheight, and means on said rod to engage the upper edge of a framecanvas, said Vlast means being adjustable to vary the inclination orangle of the frame canvas, said means comprising a bar formed with 'ahook at one end, and said ,axial rod having means tovreceive thestraight y portion of the bar when the easel is notin use. v Yet afurther object of this invention is to provide an easel of the characterdescribed, so constructed that when the easel is opened up for use, thelinks which connect the centr-al member with the extensible legs serveto support a paint `box and the opening in said central member beingadapted to receive a pin on the paint box, a

link being further provided to interconnect a pair of said legs and saidlink further serving as a support beneath the paint box.

In the accompanying drawing, in whichV is shown v-arious possibleillustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. l is a side elevational view of an easel embodyingthe inventionopened up in the Yposition for use;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken online 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the easel partly collapsed; l Y

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3; i

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3; Y y

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-S of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectionalview taken on line 1--1 of Fig. 6;v

Fig. 8 is an enlarged axial cross-sectional view of one of theextensible legs;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on rline 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a perspective viewv ofone of the expanding nuts shown in Fig.8;

Fig. 11 is a partial front View of the easel opened up and in positionfor use;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken online yl2--l2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a partial enlarged View showing .the paint box inpositionsupported by the central member;

Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the central member showing the links whichconnect the same to i the extensible legs;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged, axial, cross-sectional view of a inodication ofone of the extensible Yet another object ofthis invention is to prc- Ivide an easel of the character described, which may be compactly"packed, which may be easily adjusted and collapsed and opened up, andwhich shall yet be practical and efficient to a high degree in use.

Other objects ofthis invention will in partfbe obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out;v

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on line lB-l of Fig. 15; l Y .i

rFig. 17 is' a cross-sectional view taken on vline I1-i1 of Fig. l5; andV i@ Fig. 18 is a perspective viewof the lower portion of the fixed tubeshown in Fig. 15.

' are pivoted three extensible legs l2.

Referring now in detail to 'the drawing; vlo

designates an easel embodyingl the invention.-

The same comprises an apex member I i to which The apex member Ilcomprises a top wall I3 having three radial extensions or wings Ul;u Thetopwallfll is formed with a central opening I5. Extending downwardlyfrom the top wall is an annular wall |16 surrounding the central openingI5. Also extending downwardly from the wings I4 of the top wall are sideflanges I8. The annular wall I6 is formed with a screw threadedhorizontal radial opening I9 communicating with the central opening Iand screwed therein is a set screw 20. Each pair of side flanges I8 isformed with a pair of `aligned openings Y222. vExtending `22 is ascrew23 througheabh pair Aof openings threaded at opposite ends. Screwed tothe outer ends of member 23 are nuts 24. Washers 25 may be interposedbetween the nuts 24 and the flanges I8. Y y

Each leg I2 comprises a tube 30. Fixed Vover the upper end of eachtube\.30 4is* a cap 3l which may be attached to the tube'in any suitablemanner. The tube 30 and the cap 3| are formedfswith openings 33 and 34registering with the openings `22 and thescrews 231pass through -saidopenings. Thus the tubes 3l) vare hinged'tovthe apex member =I-I. Fittedover the lower end of'each tube 3U 7and -xed -thereto `in anysuitablemanner, is a sleeve 36 having'atrthebottom, an annular flange 31 formedwithacentral opening j38 of smaller diameter thanrtheinner diameter ofthe tube 3U. -Telescopingly slidable within each tube 3!) is a tube 40.The outer diameter of tubeY 48 islsub- -stantially equal Ato thediameter of opening 38.

iso :that-saidtube 40'may slide upwardly through said opening 38 intotube 3D.

`vFixed to the-upperend of tube-40 is a member 50 forming part of anexpanding y:clutch 5I. :Member 50 comprisesa plug portion 52 which tsinto the upper end of tube 4D and is iixed theretoV vby force t or inany other suitable manner. At the upper end of plug 52 is an annularange 53 of enlarged diameter adaptedto contact flange 31 and slidablewithin tube 30. Extending up.

'wardly from plug 52 "isa stem-4I having anY externally screw threadedtapering portionf42. The screw threaded portion142 decreases:inidiameter upwardly. Extending from the threadedportion -42 isla vportion 143 of reduced diameterffrom which thereextendsasubstantially-flat head 44. Mounted on the stem 4I Varea pairofxsimilar symmetrically disposed clutch members 45. The members 45tontothestemdl. .Each member 45 comprises a semi'annularlange4Sfa1-serni j --annular portion 41 .of Areduced diameter, and asemi-annular iange 48 substantially .similar 'to :portion 46. -Eachmember 45 is formed :with a longitudinal radial slit 49 which -extendsto :the :upper end of -said memberfbut "terminates short of thelowersurface fthereof. Each member -45 is furthermore formed on itsinner side with a :threaded portion'55 receivingthethreaded p0r- Vtionof 4the' stem. Each member-r45 Afurthermore comprises a portion 56engaging the'stemeiiand It will-'be noted .theunderside of the -head 44.Y Ithat members 4-45 have opposed :parallel surfaces 51. The inner tube4|) may be slidably moved longitudinally of tube :30 andwatfvanypointrotation of member 40 in one -d-ireet-ien IwilliorceA *a exposed. If

ber 5I may be unscrewed and then turned around The lower end of eachtube 40 is internally screw threaded as at 60. Screwed therein is a footmember 5I. Each foot member SI comprises an intermediate flange 62. Atopposite sides of llange S2 are externally screw threaded portions 63and 64. Extending from screw threaded portion 64 is a stem 65 on whichis tted a rubber tread member 65a.. Extending upwardly from screwportion 63 is a conical point 56. When the easel is used indoors,members 6I are attached tothe lower ends 'of the `ilegs in the mannershown in Fig. 8, with the soft tread member the easel is used outdoors,memand rescrewed into legs 40 with portions 64 enga'glng Athethil'eads6U. Then the conical points .68 .project downwardly, enabling the easelto stand outdoors.

AMeans is provided to interconnect the tubes 30 and to hold them in=.outwardly swung position for use. To this end, there v'is provided acentral member "10 4co-axial v'with -the apex member Il. Member 18comprises an annular ring 1I formed with equal-angularly spaced pairs ofradially eX- `tendingapertured ears 12. Each pair of apertured ears `12carries a transverse pivot pin 13. 'Ring 1I is `formeelwitha-radialscrew threaded opening .14 receivingfa set-screw 14a. Oneach tube 3U and contacting member 35 is a strap 15 formed with a pairof spaced parallel `apertured ears 1S carrying a transverse pivot pin11. Each yfpairofrears v12 .is aligned -withva pair of ears 16.

interconnecting thepins 13and 11 iis a link 18. When the easel iscollapsed, central member 10 is moved `upwardly toward the apex memberII. When the legsare swung outwardly, the central member 18 movesdownwardly to a position where the links 18 arehorizontal. Between eachpair of apertured ears 12is a slot k83. The inner edge 8l of each `slot80 is inclined downwardly Vand outwardly and the inner end edge of eachlink 18 is similarly inclined so that when the links 18 are inhorizontal-position, edges 82 contact edges BI to retain the centralmember 1I .andthe links `13 .in horizontalv position.

Fixed to members 35 on the front two legs I2 :arepins 85. :Pivoted.toone or the pins .is one Vend ofa barS.` Said baris formedat its oppo-:site end withahoo'k .81 adapted to engage the pin 185 on the otherirontleg when the easel is lopened up. Whentheeasel is opened up, it is in aposition to'support a paintboxgi. Attached tothe rear .ofthepaint boxisan angle iron 9| prisesV an annular 'portion "93a surrounding l the:members 45 apart into.grippingengagement'withfit 4 mbe 30 *and a "pail"of `pf'ffrl'lel apertued "ears '95, 96,'extending'from`-the endsthereof.

The ear SBisformedwith a.threa`dedopen'ing ha to whichthereisscrewed theshank 91 of a scre'w`98. 'Screw 98'has1a knurled head 99. The

and .thus ...becoming "70 shank91ois'rotatablyand none'slidablyconnectedto the' ear J95. suchnonnection may'be accomplished'by passing 'the''shank' 91"through a clearance holein ear 95 with nuts 91a screwedto theV"shank 91 on.oppositesides'of'ear"95. The nuts 91a "may be "fixed totheshank in "anysu'ita'ble Athe ring portion ll of the 'when the easelis collapsed.

'formed with a central axial opening |82. plug |0| `is also formed withdiametrically cp- -posed openings |03.

' threaded openings f desired height.

' fatsdssc manner. As the screw A38 is turned in one direction, thestrap 93 is tightenedl on tube 30. As said screw is turned in anopposite direction, the strap is--loosened so that it may be moved upand down i on :tube 30 or rotated.

l When the screws 98 are in the position shown yin Fig. 1, the loweredge of the framed canvas 94 'may be supported thereon.

Upon loosening the screw slightly, straps 93 may be moved up or down ontubes 30 to any vdesired height. It will be noted that as the straps 83are moved down- Wardly, they are moved accommodate either wider ornarrower frames Q4.

further apart so as to The-bar 88 is pivoted as shown inthe drawing to apin 85 on one of the front legs.

within the shank of pivoted as illustrated in Fig.v 3 of the drawing.

-When the easel is collapsed, the strap 93 on the other iront leg may berotated to bring its screw `08 inwardly so that it does not project verymuch from the collapsed easel. l

Means is provided to support the upper edge of the -framed canvas-94. Tothis end, there is slid- The tube member and through the centralopening-in central member 'iii At the upper end of tube |00 is a plug|0| The Tube |00 is formed with lopenings |04 registering with theVopenings m3. `The tube |00 and plug |0| are also formed withregistering screw threaded openings |535 at right angles to the openings|03. Screwed into the |05 is a set screw |06. Ex-

tending. through the opening EQ2 is a rod |08.

Rod |08 is formed at its upper end with a hook |09. The set screw |06may be tightened against f the rod |88 to keep it fixed.l

Furthermore, the set screw 2d may be tightened against the tube |08 tokeep it adjusted in any position. When the set screw is loosened, tube|00 may be slidably moved up and downto any When the easel is to beused, set screw |06 is loosened, rod Hi8 is pulledup out of tube |00..The rod |08 is then inserted in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 7 bypassing said rod through the openings |03, Hit. The position of the rodmay be adjusted and nxed in place bythe set screw |06. 'set screw is inalignment with they openings |03, {|04 so that it can be pressed againstthe rod |08 whether it is in the position of Fig. 6 or in the `positionof Fig. 7.

It will be noted that the It will now be understood that the 'hook |00fengages the upper edge of the framed canvas 9d. AIf the rod |08 ispushed more forwardly, the inclination of the frame canvas varies. Whenthe easel is in use, tube |00 comes out of the central member i0 asshown in Fig. 1, whereby to permit the paint box to be mounted inposition fcruse as shown in said iigure.

In Fig. is shownv a modification of the adjustable leg portion of theeasel. The leg designated as |261. comprises a fixed tube 30a and amovable tube @da which is telescoped within the fixed tube 30a. Theupper portion of the tube 30a has suitably attached thereto, a cap v3|similar tcthat previously described in Fig, 8. The tube When the "easelis collapsed, said bar 80 may-be disengaged -from the pin 85 of theVother front leg and the 'lhook 81 may be engaged lscrew 90 on the frontleg to which bar 8:5 is

v3001. and cap 3| Vare provided with registering the radial wing thetube 30a by rivet head portions structure shown in Fig. 8. The tube 30ais hinged to the radial wing |4 of the apex member by means of a screwand nut assembly 24 passing through appropriate registering openings inI4, the cap 3| and the tube 30a.

The lower extremity of the tube 30a` is formed with longitudinalequiangularly spaced slots |20. The slots |20 extend inwardly from theedge of the tube. In the upper portion of the tube 30a opposed openings|20 are provided.

A pin |22 is mounted within the tube 30a and passes through the opposedopenings |20 in the tube walls. The pin |22 is iixedly engaged with |23.A rod wire or similar element |24 is arranged axially within the bore ofthe tube 30a, and at its upper extremity has a hooked portion |25 whichengages the pin |22. The rod or wire |24 is of a length just short ofthe longitudinal dimension of the tube 30a and terminates in an enlargedportion |20, for the purpose hereinafter described.

The lower, movable'tube 40a is telescopically engaged within the bore ofthe vfixed tube 30a. The tube 40a has a member |2'| suitably mountedinwardly of the upper extremity, thereof and xedly attached thereto. Themember |21 has a perforation |28 in the center thereof. The wire or rodelement |24 passes through the perforation |28I in the member |21. Theenlarged portion |20 of the wire is in engaging relationship with theVunder portion of the member |21 when the tube is fully extended.' Thediameter of the perforation |28 in the disc |21 is such that it permitsfree longitudinal movement of the tube diie within the tube 30a. It isapparent that the length of the wire |24 will determine Ythe maximumextensibility of the tube 40a with respect to the tube 30a by reason ofthe enlarged portion |25 of wire which acts as a stop for the tube 49d.

The movable tube 40a may be iixed in any desired position with respectto the ltube 38a by 'means of a clamp member i3d. The member |36comprises an annular ring |3| which is split. The split portions of thering are extended and projectfradially from the circumference of thering to form parallel, opposed ears |32. |32a. The ear |32 is providedwith a threaded opening |33 which receives a tightening screw |35. Theear |32a has a through opening |33a.

The screw |35 has an unthreaded shoulder por- "tion |36, a threadedshank |34 of reduced diameter and a knurled head |37. The ring |3| isformed with a radial screw threaded opening |38 which receives a setscrew |39, whichV presses against tube 30a. The ring |3| is also formedwith a pair of radially extending apertured ears |40. The apertured earsH20 carry a transverse pivot pin |4l. .The axially extended portions|32,

Vthe ears |40 andthe threaded opening |88 may be spaced equiangularlywith respect to the circumference of the ring i3 'Ihe transverse pivotVpin |4| is connected to the outer end of the link 18 previouslydescribed and illustrated in Fig. 3. The clamp member |30 embraces thexed tube 30a at its lower extremity. When the movable .tube 40a isextended with respect to the xed tube 30a to a desired position, it maybe iixed in such position by tightening the screw |35. This actioncompresses the slit portions of the lower extremity of the fixed tube30a, with respect to the inner, movable tube 40a at the desiredposition.

' It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which theseveral objects of this invention are facnieyed,iandewhichjsswell;adapted to meet T thejconditions of :practical ruse.

Y As fvarious possible; embodimentslmightlbeumade 'l of ftheabove1invention,...and Vas @various changes might .be imade: in .the.embodiments..aboie set forth; itrisitmbe .'unolerstoodfthat, allv-inatterinere- .sin--set forth or: shownainftha accoI-npanying.V draw-:ingistofbe interpreted as illustrative.and.notzin a ."limitingl sense.

' Having .thus describediny invention, :I claim as new and desiretosecurebyjLetters Patent:

l. An easelcomprisingan.apex member, outer tubes pivotecl-at theirupper-ends tosaid apex #-member, i andextending radially, inneritubestelev scopedfwithin-said-outertubes,means-o-x the inner tubesto--the'outer tubes in longitu -di-nally-ad- Just-ed positions, Vacentralmember aligned-with `saidapex'member, links interconnectingftheouter ends of said outertubes tosaid central member,

said central memberandlinlis' being llemouable to 4a Voollanai'horizontal position. .means ,.to. retain saidcentizal. member and .links,in said vimrizontal positio1l, and a brace membenpivctecl to l.one ofsaidputer tubes and means to disengageablyenvgage said brace vmember.with .another `Aof ,said louterV tubes in the horizontalplaneofsaidlinks .and said central member.

...2. easelcomprising anapex member, outer tubes pivoted at .their uppervends -toasaid apex,

,membeig and extending radially,inner tubes tele- .scoped within saidouter tubes, means to Afix the .inner tubes to the outerstubes inlongitudinally adjusted positions, acentralfmembergaligned with saidapex member, links interconnecting the outer ends of said outer tubes.to said'central member, vsaid central member and apex member beingformed withaligned openings', a verticalmember longitudinally vmountedin the opening insaid apex member, means to x said.vertica1.member tosaid apex member in adjusted position, vmeans on a pair ofsaid`outertubes toengagesthe .undersideof a framed canvas, and hookmeansslidably mounted .on` said vertical member to Aengage vthe llpperend of said framed canvas.

3. An easel comprisinga tlpQdhaying .al pair' of frontlegs, andarearleg, meanson .thefront llegs to support'the lower edgeof a framedcanvas,

said means 'being longitudinally adjustable ,on

said `front legs, a member mounted for adjustment vertically` relativektosaid tripod,` a` member movable at right angles to Vthe first member,means on the second member tolengage the upper edge of said framedcanvasfthelegsofsaidtripod being extensible, means to xsaid legsatyarious s adjusted lengths, and a horizontal/memberg interconnectingthe front `legs of said tripod, isaid vhorizontal member being pivotedtoone of, .said

Vfront legs and adapted toengage thesupport `means on the leg to whichit is pivoted, when 4 said tripod is in collapsed condition.

4. An easel comprising,atripod'baving a pair of front legs, and a rearleg, means onthegfront legs to support the lower edge of a framedcanvas,

Wsaid means .fleeinglonsituelinailyA adjustable .on said front lees,...a I neniber vmounted lfor A:adjustment.yerticallylrelative.to said:nimma-:member vmovable at fright .angles to :the first ..lnember, meanson the second memberftdengage,theupper .edge ofsaid framedgcanvas, the:legs of saidftripod being extensible, means to fixsaidlegs at ,Variousadjusted 1engtns,.a horizontal. member-.-,intereon znecctinggthefrontflegs 0f Sad...trpQd,-a11d v.tointerconnect thethreelegs ofthe:tripod; ;0m

prisinaacentral member, :andlinks interoonneet- :inezthe central-member.Withsaid-three 1ee.S...Said `.horizontal member and vSaid centralmember forming asupport when Vsaidtripoii-.is in extended position.

, 5.. .Inzan .easel comnrisine .an .apex member, a

- plurality of .extensible lees pivoted .Lto -Said..;apex v.ineinbeimeach; extensible leeeomprisine an outer `tube and aninnenhlbe teleseopedtherewithihe inner .tube beingy longitudinally movable relative to its.outer tube; the .flower extremity .oisaid outer tube being .,slotted, .a;elampi.n.e vmeans engaging said .slottedportion .of...said.ou.ter tube,a .member in said inner tube formedwith agholaja Wire ,ixed .toisaidoutertubeend passing tnrouehsaid Vmember whenmsaidi. ner tube lis fullyextended- .6-L An easel Comprising.en .anexsmembenequiy.aneularly spacedcoextenaible ,lees .-.pivoted .at

. their .upper ends .toaid apex member @eX- tendine .radiallyYtherefrom., a .eentral ;..member aligned with said apexmember,links-connecting ySaid v@entraimember fil/ith Said lees, .said.centraI :member and .said links beine movable to. va .eo-

planar horizontal .lnosiiionrineanS-to rretain .said

Central.nierllber :and @Said links insaidfhorizonial f Connecting a pairv:of ASaid 'les embers and fdisposed substantiallyinthehorizontalplane:ofisaid links, Said central member .beine .formedawiihfa vcentral vertically extending through opening .whereby .a -painiboxV havinea loin iixed thereto and extending downwardly therefrom maybeset at rest upon-thebracememberand `the links with the pin passingdownwardlygthrough the central opening-,in said central member.

CHARLES B GOODST-ElN REFERENCES CITED The .following references are ofrecord in the .file of this patent:

NTED STATES ,"PA'IENTS

